Feasibility and acceptability of esophageal‐directed hypnotherapy for functional heartburn

Summary Functional heartburn ( FH ) is a benign but burdensome condition characterized by painful, burning epigastric sensations in the absence of acid reflux or symptom‐reflux correlation. Esophageal hypersensitivity and its psychological counterpart, esophageal hypervigilance ( EHv ) drive symptom experience. Hypnotherapy ( HYP ) is an established and preferred intervention for refractory symptoms in functional gastrointestinal disorders ( FGIDs ) and could be applied to FH . The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical utility of 7 weekly sessions of esophageal‐directed HYP ( EHYP ) on heartburn symptoms, quality of life, and EHv . Similar to other work in FGIDs and regardless of hypnotizability, there were consistent and significant changes in heartburn symptoms, visceral anxiety, and quality of life and a trend for improvement in catastrophizing. We would recommend EHYP in FH patients who are either non‐responsive to medications or who would prefer a lifestyle intervention.